Broncos Athletics

Rivalry Series Kicks-off This Week

SANTA CLARA,Calif. -- After winning the first three seasons of its annual Rivalry Series against San Jose State, Santa Clara University's Leavey Center has made the trophy that is awarded to the victor appear pretty comfortable.

However, the slate is now wiped clean and three key events this week will kick the new season of competition off with a bang.

Make sure to attend this week's Rivalry Series volleyball, men's soccer and women's soccer matches against the Spartans!

Tuesday night, the two schools will meet head-to-head in volleyball in a 7 p.m. matchup in SCU's Leavey Center. On Wednesday, the two women's soccer teams will face each other, then Thursday the men's soccer squads take centerstage on the Spartan Stadium turf. Both matches begin at 7 p.m.

For tickets, contact each school's athletic ticket office. Santa Clara's can be reached by calling 408/554-4660. The SJSU ticket office is available by calling 408/924-7589.

The two schools have agreed on a special ticket offer to currently enrolled students at each institution. Santa Clara will admit San Jose State students for its $2 student price, while SJSU will do the same for students who attend SCU. Members of Santa Clara's Ruff Riders spirit organization are encouraged to wear their official club t-shirt to the games.

The Rivalry Series concept is simple. The two schools compete in 13 intercollegiate sports. The winner of the head-to-head competition in each sport is awarded either two or three points, depending on how they are classified. This week, a whopping nine points are up-for-grabs.

At the end of the year, the school with the most points is declared the Rivalry Series champion, is awarded a special Rivalry Cup and, perhaps more important, earns bragging rights for the next 12 months.

With the support of the San Jose Sports Authority, the winning department is treated to a Rivalry Series BBQ at the conclusion of the season. SJSA executive director Dean Munro presents the trophy to the winning athletic director.

Santa Clara won the inaugural contest by a score of 20-10. The Broncos won every head-to-head competition against SJSU with the exception of baseball, men's basketball and men's golf. Santa Clara won last year's trophy by taking a 24-8 scoring advantage.

"We will be taking this Rivlary Series very seriously and I will make sure our coaches pencil a circle around the Santa Clara game in every sport," said Spartan athletic director Tom Bowen at last year's trophy presentation.

SCU athletic director Dan Coonan countered by saying, "When I got to Santa Clara in the fall, I didn't have as keen of an eye on the importance of competition between the two schools. Now that my good friend Tom Bowen is the athletic director at San Jose State, there is certainly something a bit more personal involved. With so many alumni and fans of the two schools throughout the South Bay, I think the personal aspect of this rivalry is much more prevalent than I ever realized."